The National tribune., 1887-01-06
BIG BETHEL.
Something About the Three Months Soldiers and
Their Exploits.

Their Exploits.
EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: As I sit
thinking my mind runs back % years 10 those
stirring times Of '6l. We that were boys then
arc feeble and gray now. But those all-impor-
tant events in our c0untrys history come
plainly TO view. Way back in the good old
Green Mountain State in fair-sized town sit
uated in the forks of the I" Y F" of the Green
Mountains, the writer of this sketch lived in
lS6l The town was proud Of silver band. a
military company, and fire company. OF the
military company j wish TO say a word. Its
members were uniformed in gorgeous style,
were well drilled and made fine display-the
delight Of the girls and envy of us boys. We
longed for the time when we should be of suit
able age TO become members Of that gay COM
pany. Little did we dream then that our am
bition would be so soon realized.
Abraham Linc0ln's call for $4,000 three
months men reached our quiet town and then
all was excitement and every one looked 10
that company 10 respond. But, alas not over
10 were willing 20 enlist. Then came us
boys" chance. We Immediately offered our
services, and very soon we were enrolled and
drilling. few days of preparation and the
company was ready and offered 10 the Governor
OF the State. Nine other companies were also
ready, and we had a regiment. Remaining a
few days in camp we took the train for New
York city. Thence we went by boats to Fort
Monroe, where in due time we landed, sea-sick
lot. Remaining here for few days, we again
embarked and landed at Newport News, where
We Immediately began and completed formid-
able line of earthworks After the completion
oil the works our time was put in on guard,
parade, drill and scouting duty.
After two months or more Of this kind Of war
there was a call from the various regiments at
Newport News for detachment Of men TO 60
on an expedition in the night The under
flfVarF Int
point, and that we were expected 10 take the
fort by surprise. detachment was to join us
on the road marching from Fort Monroe over
land. We started out in the evening 10 enable
as 10 reach our destination at daybreak aud
take the fort and all its belongings before they
should awake or know anything about it, We
were each and every one given a battle-cry and
instructed when we met any soldiers TO yell
" Boston," at them, and IL they did not I" Bos-
ton back we must fight them.
We proceeded on our march for few miles
very well, but being unaccustomed TO march
ing we soon became tired and foot-sOre At
every plantation we came 10 innumerable dogs
made the night hideous with bark and whine.
The water was 80 bad that it soon made a sorry
set Of men.
After innumerable hardships and priyations
at least they seemed so 10 raw soldiers-the
day dawned. 10 and behold! instead of hav-
ing the fort and its belongings snugly in our
possession, we heard firing in our rear Counter
marching on the double-quick for a mile or two
We saw body Of infantry. True TO our in
structions we gave the battle-cry, Boston
Boston !" loud and long; but they failed 10 re-
spond and firing began. By the time a few
men had been killed and wounded il was dis
covered that they were the men from Fort Mon
roe TO join us; but, instead of being instructed
like us in the use Of the battle-cry, they had a
white strip around their left arm TO distinguish
them.
This mishap 40 near Big Bethel Of course put
the question of surprise out of our program
nevertheless we proceeded on our march, In
an hours time we were in range Of the enc
mys guns The 9Th n. Y. Duryea's Zouavesl
were IN advance and engaged. Our regiment
was formed IN line OF battle as support. After
short time we deployed and were ordered 10
charge. Dashing ahead we came 10 a small
creek, into which we plunged waist deep.
Emerging from this we soon reached the works.
After exchanging a few shots we mounted the
works and were firing down on the Johnnies.
We could see they were running out of the fort
at the other side, aud a small squad of US were
about 10 Jump down aud take possession, when
orders came for us 10 retreat. We wanted 10
know why. AT this a Colonel mounted the
works, and with drawn saber ordered US TO re-
treat or be cut down by his saber. We retreated
Then, and the JOhnnies turned on Us with artil-
lery and small-arms, but the ground was low
and the thick nnderbrush was our salvation.
After rush and run of some distance we
reached the road and made good time. Our
grand surprise ended in sad defeat, all for the
want OF some ofhcer TO grasp the situation.
We kept up our retreat 10 Newport News, a
tired, hungry, discouraged lot of men. We
reacheo our camp some time during the night
Our great exploit at Big Bethel was the camp
talk until our three months time was out. III
we did not end the war in three months wedid
81 we were called upon 10 dos. A. CLARK.
Go. i, List VT, Holabird, Oak.